The Sydney Globalist meets Professor Gillian Triggs

Professor Gillian Triggs is the new Dean of Sydney Law School and a distinguished public international lawyer. The Globalist asked Professor Triggs to finish these sentences, which reveal her views on international law, students in politics, and the advantages of a wooden lemon squeezer.

My favourite aspect of international law is … its underlying premise that an international rule of law makes a significant contribution to world peace.

As a university student I wanted to … stop the war in Vietnam and attract an invitation to the annual Law Ball.

The real reason I became Dean of the Law Faculty is … to promote a first class internationalist approach to legal education in Australia.

My pet grammar peeve is … the split infinitive.

If I were Prime Minister for the day I would … have lunch with President Hu of China and dinner with U.S. President Barack Obama.

My best law school experience was … studying international law.

I’m always being asked … why I keep working.

The best cure for procrastination is … to be asked: “When do you plan to retire?”

If only I had … more political influence.

My school report usually said … “has potential but needs more discipline”.

Sydney University needs … to develop a clearer strategy for its international and global role.

If I wrote an autobiography, it would be called … It’s All in the Mind.

The hardest thing about writing a book is … spending so much time alone.

If I could live anywhere it would be … Paris.

Young people should be interested in politics because … it so directly affects the lives of all of us.

A gadget I can’t live without is … my wooden lemon squeezer.

I would advise students wanting a career in international law to … ensure they have a solid foundation in core legal subjects and seek every opportunity to work with international organisations.